Welcome to the sixth installment of Harry Potter and The Bracelet of
Gryffindor. Soon I'll be getting more into the bracelet itself and what
Mako has to do with it all, and more of hers and Harry's adventures.
There'll probably be a bit of romance entering it shortly, but I won't
focus on it.
Chapter Six - School Tidings
"Ohayo, Jii-chan,
This is Miryoku Yume, my owl. I hope you like her, she's my familiar, and a great companion. You'll have to send your reply back with her, just tie it on her leg. She won't bite, don't worry. School is fine, Ami-chan and I are both in the Ravenclaw house, Mako-chan is in Gryffindor with her older brother, Harry. Yes, she's got a brother, can you believe it? They get along together so wonderfully, especially after being separated for so long. There's a whole long story, but I'll save that for another letter. Do you remember Tomoe Hotaru? Her father's that scientist, you know, the one who's always on TV? Well, she's here too, would you believe it? She's in Gryffindor, with Mako-chan.
Hogwarts is amazing! There are ghosts, Jii-chan, and they know about mom, and Ami-chan's father. Our house ghost is the Grey Lady, she's really nice. She's been telling us stories about our parents, things that dad and Ami-chan's mom tried to hide. Hagrid-sensei (you remember him, the one who came to pick us up?) is our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, but we haven't had a class with him yet. I hope there'll be unicorns or phoenixes. They sound like fun, but this really nasty Slytherin boy keeps droning on about how stupid Hagrid-sensei is.
Jii-chan, I wish you were here! You'd like it, I think. The classes are so much fun, all except Potions and Divination, or so I hear. I don't think Potions is horrible, they're actually rather interesting, but Snape- sensei is really scary sometimes. And I don't take Divination yet, that'll come in my third year if I choose it, but I've heard from Harry (that's Mako-chan's brother) that Trelawney-sensei is a fraud. I think I might take it, though, so I can show her how real fortune telling is done. ... I'm kidding, jii-chan, kidding.
I really miss you, but I'm having a lot of fun. Write back as soon as you can. I'll keep you informed. Ja matta ne, Jii-chan.
Suki desu, Rei."
Rei settled back in her chair, reading over the paper of kanji written in beautiful script with her quill. Ami was doing some pre-reading for their first class tomorrow (Herbology with the Slytherins) to make sure she wouldn't be far behind. As it was, she was probably three lessons ahead.
"Ami-chan?" Rei asked.
Ami looked up from her book, "Hai?"
"Anata wa yonde de shou? Jii-chan no tame ni kanpeki tai."
Rei waved the parchment in the air, showing Ami her letter to her grandfather, and the blue haired girl smiled and nodded.
"Mo chiron, Rei-chan."
She quickly read over the letter, nodding every now and then before giving it back.
"Anata wa sukoshi demo nai. Shimpai nai. Anata no Ojii-san rikai suru de shou," Ami assured her friend, closing her book.
Rei nodded and stared into the Common Room fire. She was glad that they were the only two there. Though she could understand English well enough, she still found it hard to speak it, and didn't want to be ridiculed because of that. She also didn't want Ami to constantly have to speak for her, but it was times like these when they could just slip into Japanese and talk on without worrying about someone thinking that they were plotting to destroy the school.
Yamete, Rei! You're being foolish! The people here aren't like that! Give them a chance, why won't you?, she yelled at herself, sighing.
"Rei-chan?"
"Hai?"
"Daijobu?"
"Hai. Shimpai nai, ne? Ne, ne, iku yo! Asagohan o tabetai!"
Rei stood up from her chair, checking her watch and making sure that it was indeed eight o'clock. It was; breakfast would be starting any minute, and they would likely be the first ones there. Ami smiled and stood up as well, taking her book with her and making sure her wand was pocketed. They left together, heading for the Great Hall and talking with the Grey Lady.
When they arrived at the great hall, Makoto was already sitting there, looking around anxiously. Every now and then her hand would find its way to her scar, and she would fiddle with the bracelet. Rei and Ami glanced at each other with bewildered looks, shrugged, and walked over to join her.
"Mako-chan?" asked Ami, gently.
"Ara?! Rei-chan! Ami-chan! Hasashiburi, ne?" she joked, face looking a little drawn.
"Mako-chan?" Rei asked, concerned, "Daijobu desu ka?"
"Mm ... "
"Shinjiru nai."
"Oya ... saa ... kore udewa wa samui da yo, nugutai," Makoto finally admitted, looking down at the bracelet.
Rei and Ami sat down across from her and looked at each other, worried. None said anything for a long time. Finally Makoto looked up in shock.
"It's not cold anymore!" she hissed, "It just ... went back to normal temperature! Do you ... d'you think it's a warning of some sort?"
"I think you should just take it off, Mako-chan!" Ami said, concern flowing from her face, "There's something strange about it. Bracelets don't just go cold and then stop being cold! You shouldn't have put it on in the first place!"
"Ami-chan!" Rei chided, "Don't nag."
The others stared at her in astonishment before bursting out laughing.
"It figures. The first English words she feels comfortable enough to use would be 'don't nag'." Makoto laughed.
Rei blushed but said nothing. More students began filing into the Great Hall, from anxious and nervous first years to sleepy seventh years who wanted nothing more than this year to be over before they were forced to take their N.E.W.T.s. Rei and Ami said a quick good bye to Makoto and shuffled off to their house table. Makoto busied herself with looking over her schedule until Harry, Hermione, and Ron joined her.
"Let's see. Care of Magical Creatures with the Ravenclaws at ten ... and then double Charms at one with ... oh they did that on purpose!"
"Who did what on purpose?" asked Ron's voice.
Makoto looked up quickly, "Care of Magical Creatures. Then double Charms, which is fine, but with the Slytherins! Some deity up there has a wonderful time laughing at me."
Ron laughed and sat down next to her. Harry and Hermione were also there, sitting across from them and laughing as well.
"Then you'd best eat up. You're going to need your strength," Harry grinned.
"Just so long as Hagrid doesn't have a fire breathing dragon, I'm sure you'll be fine. It's the Slytherins you'll want to worry about." Ron grinned at Harry and Hermione, who returned it.
"No, no, I can handle Slytherins. But aren't dragons illegal?" Makoto asked, with a hint of fear in her voice.
"Finally, someone who reads!" Hermione said, delighted, "Yes, they are illegal. I'm sure Harry's told you all about Norbert? Don't worry though, Hagrid would never try to use one of them for his classes."
Makoto slumped forward, sighing in relief.
"This is going to sound a bit shallow, but bloody hell am I glad he wouldn't. I'm a bit attached to my hair."
The other three laughed. Though they were all fond of Hagrid, after Norbert and their other experiences with his love for highly dangerous animals was always a private joke among them. At this time, Dumbledore stood to make his morning announcements. When he was finished, the plates were filled with breakfast foods and the Great Hall became filled with the noise of students and teachers talking over their food. Even Professor Lupin and McGonagall were talking animatedly to each other and Dumbledore was making polite conversation with Flitwick, the tiny Charms teacher.
"Kipper!" Makoto said, when her owl suddenly landed on her shoulder, "You mean you're not mad at me, anymore?"
He favored her with an affectionate nibble on her ear and eagerly accepted the bit of bacon she offered him from one of the plates. He dropped the newspaper by her side and she stroked his feathers and sent him back to the owlry.
"You've taken out a subscription to the Daily Prophet, huh?" Harry asked.
"Yes. I'd like to know what's going on in the Magical world," she replied vaguely, unrolling it and flipping through the articles.
Ron shook his head and dug into his food.
"I reckon that you're a bad influence on her, Hermione," he grinned.
"Oh hush and eat. Classes start soon."
* * *
Care of Magical Creatures was far more fun that Makoto had expected. It had been nearly two full years since Buckbeak's trial, so Hagrid had once again decided to try his luck with hippogriffs. This time he brought only two, and this time there was no Draco Malfoy. The students all stood around uncertainly, clearly afraid of their lesson, so Makoto took it upon herself to be the moral support for her teacher.
"He's gorgeous!" she murmured, trying not to sound too afraid.
It wasn't a lie, either, just a little twist of the truth. She did think the hippogriffs were intriguing and gorgeous in their own way, but she also wanted to make Hagrid feel good about himself. She'd heard all the stories of his previous lessons and the disasters they'd turned out to be. Apparently she had done all right, though, because Hagrid beamed at her. The other students (Ravenclaw and Gryffindor alike) looked at her like she was batty, but she ignored them.
"In't he?" Hagrid asked happily.
She nodded and smiled, hoping to still be convincing. The giant man favored her with another large grin and them turned to the rest of the class.
"Now, hippogriffs are right proud beasts. Yeh mus'n' ever insult 'em, it migh' be the last thin' yeh do. Yeh should always let 'em make the first move, so's not to offend 'em. Got ter bow to 'em, see, and try not ter blink. If they bow back, then yeh cen pet 'em. Who wants ter try firs'?"
The crowd of third year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors immediately parted for Makoto, though she hadn't said anything. She promptly tried to hide behind the person nearest her, a boy named Sam Hopper. He nudged her back into Hagrid's line of view, and the giant man motioned for her to come forward. She complied, but rather like one who is walking to their death. Hagrid didn't seem to notice, though.
"This one here is Goldeye, and this is Curieux," Hagrid said, "Jillian, yeh cen have a go wit Curieux. If he bows back, yeh cen pet him. If he doesn't, I want yeh ter slowly back away."
"Right," Makoto nodded slowly.
She cautiously approached the hippogriff, who eyed her fiercely. Slowly, staring Curieux in the eyes and trying not to blink or flinch, she bowed in formal Japanese fashion. Nothing happened.
"Righ' then, Jillian, come back here ... slowly now ... " Hagrid said softly from the sidelines.
Makoto stood slowly, but just as she was about to back away, the sun flashed on her bracelet and Curieux suddenly bowed. Happily, though cautiously, Makoto stepped forward and began to stroke the soft eagle feathers that crowned his head.
"You're just a beautiful boy, aren't you?" she crooned, and Curieux preened happily.
Makoto turned to Hagrid, remembering Harry's story about his ride on Buckbeak. Now she wanted to compare flying on a broom to flying on a Hippogriff.
"Do'you think he'd let me fly on him?" she asked.
"Why don' yeh ask 'im?"
"All right. Mr Curieux, sir, would you be so kind as to let me ride on your back? Or am I not deemed worthy?" Makoto asked, humoring Hagrid.
The other students giggled a little. But the huge hippogriff gave an indulgent blink of his burning orange eyes and seemed to nod.
"Yeh see tha?!" Hagrid cried happily, "Ravenclaws over here with Goldeye. The rest o' yeh have a go with Curry ... when Jillian gets down, tha' is."
Makoto grinned nervously. She wanted to ride the huge hippogriff, that was true, but he did scare her a bit. Hagrid instructed her as to how to get on him, and she did.
"Where am I supposed to hold on?" she asked.
"Er ... jus' hold on ter his feathers, he won' mind," Hagrid replied, patting Curieux as well, "Will yeh, Curry?"
Curieux gave Hagrid a piercing look, but shook his feathered head. Makoto gently took two handfuls of feathers into her hands and glanced around at the other kids in her year. They were looking both impressed and anxious, and none had moved from their original places on the grass. Hagrid didn't seem to notice, he was so wrapped up in someone who actually appreciated his lessons, and so they stood to watch her fly. Makoto didn't even have time to plan her will or tombstone before Curieux suddenly crouched down and took off into the skies.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" she screamed.
That was before realizing that she wasn't going to fall off, and once she did the ride became much more pleasant for her. The feeling of the hippogriff's wings beating under her calves was vaguely uncomfortable but other than that, she was tempted to say that it was a better ride than a broomstick could provide. As she was flown around the castle grounds Makoto could see some of the other students, who had the period free, looking up to watch her. Draco was alone, for once, sitting under a tree with a Potions text in his lap. When Curieux's shadow passed over him he glanced upwards and sneered slightly at the hippogriff's legs before returning to reading.
"Curry - d'you mind if I call you Curry? - I think we should go back now," Makoto said gently.
The hippogriff craned his neck to look at her, staring out of one glowing orange eye. She patted his beak and smiled a bit more confidant than she'd been at the beginning.
"Come on now, handsome. I've got to finish class."
The huge beast considered and swooped around, diving back for Hagrid's hut by the Dark Forest. The Gryffindors backed away anxiously to form a landing pad for the two while the Ravenclaws were desperately trying to focus all their attention on Goldeye under Hagrid's supervision. That pretense was quickly abandoned when he turned to welcome Makoto back to the class.
"Jillian! There yeh are! Though' Curry mighta flown off wit yeh! Don' worry me like tha'!" he said anxiously, patting the huge beast's head lightly.
Makoto lowered her head slightly as Hagrid turned back to the other students and instructed them on how they were to act around the two hippogriffs and left them to their own devices. This time the other students actually paid attention to him, rather than watching Makoto getting yelled at. The Ravenclaws were too focused on getting good grades to care much and the Gryffindors would support one of their own, but wouldn't interfere on her behalf yet.
"I'm sorry, Hagrid," she said when he turned back to her, "But Curieux would never hurt me, I don't think he's the type to. And I was so caught up in the ride that I nearly lost track of the time, that's all. I didn't mean to scare you or anything."
Hagrid sighed and smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"S'all righ'. Jus' don' do it again, yeh hear?"
"Yes, sir."
"None o' tha' now, Jillian," Hagrid chided lightly, "I'm yer friend, not Snape."
Makoto looked up, shocked, and he laughed. She laughed with him, glad that he wasn't angry with her and turned to watch the rest of the class have their turn with the hippogriffs.
"Double Charms with Alcott Sauron is not fun," Makoto muttered to herself at three o' clock as she wandered around the halls.
She was hoping to find either Ami or Rei or even Hotaru to catch up with them about their days since she knew that Harry and Ron were both in class and Hermione was probably in the library. So far, though, she'd only had a few run-ins with Peeves the Poltergeist and a Snape encounter to speak of, so she'd chosen a route that took her as far from the dungeons as possible.
"Well, well, little Potter comes along. Are you lost?" came a snide voice.
Apparently, Draco didn't have class at this time, either. Makoto groaned inwardly and kept walking.
"No, Malfoy, I'm not. I'm simply having a good look around so I know where to find you and catch you off guard so I can curse you," she said coolly.
"Oh? And you think you can?"
"Why not?"
"Oh, I don't know. Seeing as you couldn't even find a letter that was flown to your door for two years, I find it hard to believe that you could do anything other than trip over your own feet."
Makoto stopped dead in her tracks, hands balling into fists. She didn't turn to look at Malfoy, though, and with a great effort forced herself to continue walking. Footsteps sounding behind her told her that she was being followed, a possibility she did not relish.
"Have you taken up stalking, then, Malfoy?"
"No. We just happen to be going the same way."
"Really? You're going to the library, too?"
"If you must know, I'm not. I'm on my way to see Madam Hooch about Quidditch tryouts. I have to make sure that no one gets by on friendship alone, you know."
"But money over talent is fine, right? I mean, that's how you got in, isn't it?" she asked snidely.
She could hear Malfoy stop suddenly behind her and could imagine his mouth opening and closing in anger. Feeling slightly like a heel, but knowing that he deserved it, Makoto kept walking away from him and now had no choice but to go to the library.
"Oh well, Hermione should be there. Maybe she can help me with my Cheerup Charm."
As it happened to be, however, there were very few people in the library and Hermione was not one of them. Fred and George were there, no doubt looking for hexes they could use for their joke shop, and Collin Creevey and Ginny Weasley were helping each other with their Potions homework, but other than them and Madam Pince, the library was empty. Makoto quickly consulted the large filing cabinet that held the book listings for anything that looked remotely interesting or had to do with Cheerup Charms. She settled on a book about magical things that famous wizards and witches used to help them in their magical studies.
"Upton ... Upton ... Upton ... where the hell is Cassell Upton?"
"Shhh!" hissed a boy she hadn't noticed.
"Sorry," she hissed back, turning back to the book-self.
The boy humphed and turned back to his own book. Makoto rolled her eyes and ran her pointer finger gently along the spines of a row of books that were in the "u" section until she found Upton's books. Her finger stopped on Jewelry; Not Just For Decoration, by Cassell Upton and pulled it down from the shelf. Settling down on a large arm chair by a window, Makoto opened the book to the table of contents and looked for the chapter most closely related to bracelets, blinking in surprise when she realized that about one quarter of the book was dedicated to them. She flipped through the pages until she got to that section and began reading.
" 'Gold bracelets of the Middle Ages', 'bracelets and survival', 'silver on the wrist: protection' - maybe that could help," she mused.
She opened to the chapter and was greeted with a large picture of various bracelets. There were some that she'd seen in museums, but none that looked like her own.
"Bracelets have been used as means of protection since the time of Merlin the Great. They are harmless to the wearer, are very inconspicuous in crowds of Muggles, and a potent protection spell can make them formidable weapons against the most powerful curses.
Some of the most famous wizards and witches have been known to use jewelry for protection. Circe, the famed witch from Homer's The Odyssey, used a large variety of necklaces to enchant those sailors that chanced upon her shores. Nicholas Flamel, a noted alchemist, often gave rings to his Muggle guests to allow them to forget all they might have seen while visiting him that was "out of the ordinary".
Perhaps the most famous of all wizards to use any sort of jewelry for their Magic, however, is Godric Gryffindor. Though very little is known about the bracelet that he wore, it is said to have been one of the most powerful objects of its time. Even the great Salazar Slytherin wanted to be able to use its power, though he was never permitted to lay hands on it. The actual appearance of the bracelet is to this day unknown, but there are records of its power displayed throughout the 18th century, at least 500 years after his death.
The earliest record is from a close friend of Godric's, Lutra Miller, after his witnessing the bracelet in action.
'[Godric] placed it upon his wrist and it [reflected] in his eyes, bringing forth his rage to life. The silver flared to life upon his fair skin and a red glow issued forth as its Master called for its power. And as if in obedience to some unseen force, the trees parted before us and the ground shook under our feet.'
Other witnesses reports of the power of Godric's bracelet include the taming of wild animals for a short time, and glowing red light just before danger struck."
Makoto sighed and closed the book. Though the information contained in the book was very interesting, it did nothing to help her with her own problems with the bracelet. Quietly as possible she replaced the book to its shelf and left the library in search of whichever of her friends she could find first.
"Jillian!" called a voice.
She spun around and came to face Ron, face flushed, running down the hall to meet her in front of the library's doors. She grinned and leaned on the wall to wait for him, glad to for the company of her brother's friend.
My chance to make him my friend too ... he's cute when he's flushed like that ... what am I saying?! she thought wildly, hoping her face didn't betray her emotions.
Ron came to a near flying halt in front of her and bent over to catch his breath.
"Gee, I knew you loved me, but you don't have to kill yourself to prove it," Makoto grinned.
The red haired boy looked up smiling as well, but too out of breath to laugh. When he regained his breath he straightened up and held out an arm.
"Would the Lady care to accompany me on my journey to the Gryffindor Common Room?" he asked in a slightly mocking voice.
Makoto took up the act without missing a beat and gave him a low curtsie, then wound her arm in his.
"I'd be delighted, Sir Ron."
Three male figures watched the two as they walked towards their Common Room. As secretive as they tried to be, any passing person would have heard their whispering to each other.
"Did you see them?"
"No, sorry, I'm half blind you know. What were we looking at?"
"You're not blind, you just weren't paying attention. We were looking at your younger brother and his potential love prospect."
"Oh. Was that all?"
"He's my younger brother too, you know, Lee."
"I know that. But he ... oh never mind! Now, are you going to help me play matchmaker or not?"
"Matchmaker?"
"Ask Dean, not me."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Right, now for the annoying stuff.
To: "allison" and "california": I will write in Japanese what I feel like writing in Japanese. Makoto, Rei, Ami, and Hotaru, all happen to be Japanese, therefore, when speaking alone or two each other, they speak … Japanese. ::rolls eyes:: I've given translations, and I will continue to do so. But I will still write some of their lines in their original language.
Also: Ami's mother will not take her back. Rei will not go back to her grandfather because he's dying ::rolls eyes again:: and Hotaru's dad will not just randomly pull her out of school to go back to his lab. Why? Because I say so!
One more thing to all those who can't speak Japanese. This chapter has the most Japanese in it of all of them, and from the next chapter on, I won't be using as much because Rei will have learned more English and will want to use it or something, so you don't get as confused.
Translations for this chapter are as follows:
Ohayo, Jii-chan = Hello (technically "good morning") Grandpa
Ja matta ne = See you later
Suki desu, Rei = I love you, Rei
Anata wa yonde de shou? = Will you read this?
Jii-chan no tame ni kanpeki tai = I want it perfect for Grandpa
Mo chiron, Rei-chan = of course, Rei-chan
Anata wa sukoshi demo nai = you worry about the smallest things (I think)
Shimpai nai = don't worry
Anata no Ojii-san rikai suru de shou = your grandfather will understand it
Yamete = stop
Shimpai nai, ne? = don't worry, right?
Ne, ne, iku yo! = Let's go!
Asagohan o tabetai! = I want to eat breakfast!
Oya ... saa ... kore udewa wa samui da yo, nugutai = Oh … well … this bracelet is really cold, I want to take it off.
Chapter Six - School Tidings
"Ohayo, Jii-chan,
This is Miryoku Yume, my owl. I hope you like her, she's my familiar, and a great companion. You'll have to send your reply back with her, just tie it on her leg. She won't bite, don't worry. School is fine, Ami-chan and I are both in the Ravenclaw house, Mako-chan is in Gryffindor with her older brother, Harry. Yes, she's got a brother, can you believe it? They get along together so wonderfully, especially after being separated for so long. There's a whole long story, but I'll save that for another letter. Do you remember Tomoe Hotaru? Her father's that scientist, you know, the one who's always on TV? Well, she's here too, would you believe it? She's in Gryffindor, with Mako-chan.
Hogwarts is amazing! There are ghosts, Jii-chan, and they know about mom, and Ami-chan's father. Our house ghost is the Grey Lady, she's really nice. She's been telling us stories about our parents, things that dad and Ami-chan's mom tried to hide. Hagrid-sensei (you remember him, the one who came to pick us up?) is our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, but we haven't had a class with him yet. I hope there'll be unicorns or phoenixes. They sound like fun, but this really nasty Slytherin boy keeps droning on about how stupid Hagrid-sensei is.
Jii-chan, I wish you were here! You'd like it, I think. The classes are so much fun, all except Potions and Divination, or so I hear. I don't think Potions is horrible, they're actually rather interesting, but Snape- sensei is really scary sometimes. And I don't take Divination yet, that'll come in my third year if I choose it, but I've heard from Harry (that's Mako-chan's brother) that Trelawney-sensei is a fraud. I think I might take it, though, so I can show her how real fortune telling is done. ... I'm kidding, jii-chan, kidding.
I really miss you, but I'm having a lot of fun. Write back as soon as you can. I'll keep you informed. Ja matta ne, Jii-chan.
Suki desu, Rei."
Rei settled back in her chair, reading over the paper of kanji written in beautiful script with her quill. Ami was doing some pre-reading for their first class tomorrow (Herbology with the Slytherins) to make sure she wouldn't be far behind. As it was, she was probably three lessons ahead.
"Ami-chan?" Rei asked.
Ami looked up from her book, "Hai?"
"Anata wa yonde de shou? Jii-chan no tame ni kanpeki tai."
Rei waved the parchment in the air, showing Ami her letter to her grandfather, and the blue haired girl smiled and nodded.
"Mo chiron, Rei-chan."
She quickly read over the letter, nodding every now and then before giving it back.
"Anata wa sukoshi demo nai. Shimpai nai. Anata no Ojii-san rikai suru de shou," Ami assured her friend, closing her book.
Rei nodded and stared into the Common Room fire. She was glad that they were the only two there. Though she could understand English well enough, she still found it hard to speak it, and didn't want to be ridiculed because of that. She also didn't want Ami to constantly have to speak for her, but it was times like these when they could just slip into Japanese and talk on without worrying about someone thinking that they were plotting to destroy the school.
Yamete, Rei! You're being foolish! The people here aren't like that! Give them a chance, why won't you?, she yelled at herself, sighing.
"Rei-chan?"
"Hai?"
"Daijobu?"
"Hai. Shimpai nai, ne? Ne, ne, iku yo! Asagohan o tabetai!"
Rei stood up from her chair, checking her watch and making sure that it was indeed eight o'clock. It was; breakfast would be starting any minute, and they would likely be the first ones there. Ami smiled and stood up as well, taking her book with her and making sure her wand was pocketed. They left together, heading for the Great Hall and talking with the Grey Lady.
When they arrived at the great hall, Makoto was already sitting there, looking around anxiously. Every now and then her hand would find its way to her scar, and she would fiddle with the bracelet. Rei and Ami glanced at each other with bewildered looks, shrugged, and walked over to join her.
"Mako-chan?" asked Ami, gently.
"Ara?! Rei-chan! Ami-chan! Hasashiburi, ne?" she joked, face looking a little drawn.
"Mako-chan?" Rei asked, concerned, "Daijobu desu ka?"
"Mm ... "
"Shinjiru nai."
"Oya ... saa ... kore udewa wa samui da yo, nugutai," Makoto finally admitted, looking down at the bracelet.
Rei and Ami sat down across from her and looked at each other, worried. None said anything for a long time. Finally Makoto looked up in shock.
"It's not cold anymore!" she hissed, "It just ... went back to normal temperature! Do you ... d'you think it's a warning of some sort?"
"I think you should just take it off, Mako-chan!" Ami said, concern flowing from her face, "There's something strange about it. Bracelets don't just go cold and then stop being cold! You shouldn't have put it on in the first place!"
"Ami-chan!" Rei chided, "Don't nag."
The others stared at her in astonishment before bursting out laughing.
"It figures. The first English words she feels comfortable enough to use would be 'don't nag'." Makoto laughed.
Rei blushed but said nothing. More students began filing into the Great Hall, from anxious and nervous first years to sleepy seventh years who wanted nothing more than this year to be over before they were forced to take their N.E.W.T.s. Rei and Ami said a quick good bye to Makoto and shuffled off to their house table. Makoto busied herself with looking over her schedule until Harry, Hermione, and Ron joined her.
"Let's see. Care of Magical Creatures with the Ravenclaws at ten ... and then double Charms at one with ... oh they did that on purpose!"
"Who did what on purpose?" asked Ron's voice.
Makoto looked up quickly, "Care of Magical Creatures. Then double Charms, which is fine, but with the Slytherins! Some deity up there has a wonderful time laughing at me."
Ron laughed and sat down next to her. Harry and Hermione were also there, sitting across from them and laughing as well.
"Then you'd best eat up. You're going to need your strength," Harry grinned.
"Just so long as Hagrid doesn't have a fire breathing dragon, I'm sure you'll be fine. It's the Slytherins you'll want to worry about." Ron grinned at Harry and Hermione, who returned it.
"No, no, I can handle Slytherins. But aren't dragons illegal?" Makoto asked, with a hint of fear in her voice.
"Finally, someone who reads!" Hermione said, delighted, "Yes, they are illegal. I'm sure Harry's told you all about Norbert? Don't worry though, Hagrid would never try to use one of them for his classes."
Makoto slumped forward, sighing in relief.
"This is going to sound a bit shallow, but bloody hell am I glad he wouldn't. I'm a bit attached to my hair."
The other three laughed. Though they were all fond of Hagrid, after Norbert and their other experiences with his love for highly dangerous animals was always a private joke among them. At this time, Dumbledore stood to make his morning announcements. When he was finished, the plates were filled with breakfast foods and the Great Hall became filled with the noise of students and teachers talking over their food. Even Professor Lupin and McGonagall were talking animatedly to each other and Dumbledore was making polite conversation with Flitwick, the tiny Charms teacher.
"Kipper!" Makoto said, when her owl suddenly landed on her shoulder, "You mean you're not mad at me, anymore?"
He favored her with an affectionate nibble on her ear and eagerly accepted the bit of bacon she offered him from one of the plates. He dropped the newspaper by her side and she stroked his feathers and sent him back to the owlry.
"You've taken out a subscription to the Daily Prophet, huh?" Harry asked.
"Yes. I'd like to know what's going on in the Magical world," she replied vaguely, unrolling it and flipping through the articles.
Ron shook his head and dug into his food.
"I reckon that you're a bad influence on her, Hermione," he grinned.
"Oh hush and eat. Classes start soon."
* * *
Care of Magical Creatures was far more fun that Makoto had expected. It had been nearly two full years since Buckbeak's trial, so Hagrid had once again decided to try his luck with hippogriffs. This time he brought only two, and this time there was no Draco Malfoy. The students all stood around uncertainly, clearly afraid of their lesson, so Makoto took it upon herself to be the moral support for her teacher.
"He's gorgeous!" she murmured, trying not to sound too afraid.
It wasn't a lie, either, just a little twist of the truth. She did think the hippogriffs were intriguing and gorgeous in their own way, but she also wanted to make Hagrid feel good about himself. She'd heard all the stories of his previous lessons and the disasters they'd turned out to be. Apparently she had done all right, though, because Hagrid beamed at her. The other students (Ravenclaw and Gryffindor alike) looked at her like she was batty, but she ignored them.
"In't he?" Hagrid asked happily.
She nodded and smiled, hoping to still be convincing. The giant man favored her with another large grin and them turned to the rest of the class.
"Now, hippogriffs are right proud beasts. Yeh mus'n' ever insult 'em, it migh' be the last thin' yeh do. Yeh should always let 'em make the first move, so's not to offend 'em. Got ter bow to 'em, see, and try not ter blink. If they bow back, then yeh cen pet 'em. Who wants ter try firs'?"
The crowd of third year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors immediately parted for Makoto, though she hadn't said anything. She promptly tried to hide behind the person nearest her, a boy named Sam Hopper. He nudged her back into Hagrid's line of view, and the giant man motioned for her to come forward. She complied, but rather like one who is walking to their death. Hagrid didn't seem to notice, though.
"This one here is Goldeye, and this is Curieux," Hagrid said, "Jillian, yeh cen have a go wit Curieux. If he bows back, yeh cen pet him. If he doesn't, I want yeh ter slowly back away."
"Right," Makoto nodded slowly.
She cautiously approached the hippogriff, who eyed her fiercely. Slowly, staring Curieux in the eyes and trying not to blink or flinch, she bowed in formal Japanese fashion. Nothing happened.
"Righ' then, Jillian, come back here ... slowly now ... " Hagrid said softly from the sidelines.
Makoto stood slowly, but just as she was about to back away, the sun flashed on her bracelet and Curieux suddenly bowed. Happily, though cautiously, Makoto stepped forward and began to stroke the soft eagle feathers that crowned his head.
"You're just a beautiful boy, aren't you?" she crooned, and Curieux preened happily.
Makoto turned to Hagrid, remembering Harry's story about his ride on Buckbeak. Now she wanted to compare flying on a broom to flying on a Hippogriff.
"Do'you think he'd let me fly on him?" she asked.
"Why don' yeh ask 'im?"
"All right. Mr Curieux, sir, would you be so kind as to let me ride on your back? Or am I not deemed worthy?" Makoto asked, humoring Hagrid.
The other students giggled a little. But the huge hippogriff gave an indulgent blink of his burning orange eyes and seemed to nod.
"Yeh see tha?!" Hagrid cried happily, "Ravenclaws over here with Goldeye. The rest o' yeh have a go with Curry ... when Jillian gets down, tha' is."
Makoto grinned nervously. She wanted to ride the huge hippogriff, that was true, but he did scare her a bit. Hagrid instructed her as to how to get on him, and she did.
"Where am I supposed to hold on?" she asked.
"Er ... jus' hold on ter his feathers, he won' mind," Hagrid replied, patting Curieux as well, "Will yeh, Curry?"
Curieux gave Hagrid a piercing look, but shook his feathered head. Makoto gently took two handfuls of feathers into her hands and glanced around at the other kids in her year. They were looking both impressed and anxious, and none had moved from their original places on the grass. Hagrid didn't seem to notice, he was so wrapped up in someone who actually appreciated his lessons, and so they stood to watch her fly. Makoto didn't even have time to plan her will or tombstone before Curieux suddenly crouched down and took off into the skies.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" she screamed.
That was before realizing that she wasn't going to fall off, and once she did the ride became much more pleasant for her. The feeling of the hippogriff's wings beating under her calves was vaguely uncomfortable but other than that, she was tempted to say that it was a better ride than a broomstick could provide. As she was flown around the castle grounds Makoto could see some of the other students, who had the period free, looking up to watch her. Draco was alone, for once, sitting under a tree with a Potions text in his lap. When Curieux's shadow passed over him he glanced upwards and sneered slightly at the hippogriff's legs before returning to reading.
"Curry - d'you mind if I call you Curry? - I think we should go back now," Makoto said gently.
The hippogriff craned his neck to look at her, staring out of one glowing orange eye. She patted his beak and smiled a bit more confidant than she'd been at the beginning.
"Come on now, handsome. I've got to finish class."
The huge beast considered and swooped around, diving back for Hagrid's hut by the Dark Forest. The Gryffindors backed away anxiously to form a landing pad for the two while the Ravenclaws were desperately trying to focus all their attention on Goldeye under Hagrid's supervision. That pretense was quickly abandoned when he turned to welcome Makoto back to the class.
"Jillian! There yeh are! Though' Curry mighta flown off wit yeh! Don' worry me like tha'!" he said anxiously, patting the huge beast's head lightly.
Makoto lowered her head slightly as Hagrid turned back to the other students and instructed them on how they were to act around the two hippogriffs and left them to their own devices. This time the other students actually paid attention to him, rather than watching Makoto getting yelled at. The Ravenclaws were too focused on getting good grades to care much and the Gryffindors would support one of their own, but wouldn't interfere on her behalf yet.
"I'm sorry, Hagrid," she said when he turned back to her, "But Curieux would never hurt me, I don't think he's the type to. And I was so caught up in the ride that I nearly lost track of the time, that's all. I didn't mean to scare you or anything."
Hagrid sighed and smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"S'all righ'. Jus' don' do it again, yeh hear?"
"Yes, sir."
"None o' tha' now, Jillian," Hagrid chided lightly, "I'm yer friend, not Snape."
Makoto looked up, shocked, and he laughed. She laughed with him, glad that he wasn't angry with her and turned to watch the rest of the class have their turn with the hippogriffs.
"Double Charms with Alcott Sauron is not fun," Makoto muttered to herself at three o' clock as she wandered around the halls.
She was hoping to find either Ami or Rei or even Hotaru to catch up with them about their days since she knew that Harry and Ron were both in class and Hermione was probably in the library. So far, though, she'd only had a few run-ins with Peeves the Poltergeist and a Snape encounter to speak of, so she'd chosen a route that took her as far from the dungeons as possible.
"Well, well, little Potter comes along. Are you lost?" came a snide voice.
Apparently, Draco didn't have class at this time, either. Makoto groaned inwardly and kept walking.
"No, Malfoy, I'm not. I'm simply having a good look around so I know where to find you and catch you off guard so I can curse you," she said coolly.
"Oh? And you think you can?"
"Why not?"
"Oh, I don't know. Seeing as you couldn't even find a letter that was flown to your door for two years, I find it hard to believe that you could do anything other than trip over your own feet."
Makoto stopped dead in her tracks, hands balling into fists. She didn't turn to look at Malfoy, though, and with a great effort forced herself to continue walking. Footsteps sounding behind her told her that she was being followed, a possibility she did not relish.
"Have you taken up stalking, then, Malfoy?"
"No. We just happen to be going the same way."
"Really? You're going to the library, too?"
"If you must know, I'm not. I'm on my way to see Madam Hooch about Quidditch tryouts. I have to make sure that no one gets by on friendship alone, you know."
"But money over talent is fine, right? I mean, that's how you got in, isn't it?" she asked snidely.
She could hear Malfoy stop suddenly behind her and could imagine his mouth opening and closing in anger. Feeling slightly like a heel, but knowing that he deserved it, Makoto kept walking away from him and now had no choice but to go to the library.
"Oh well, Hermione should be there. Maybe she can help me with my Cheerup Charm."
As it happened to be, however, there were very few people in the library and Hermione was not one of them. Fred and George were there, no doubt looking for hexes they could use for their joke shop, and Collin Creevey and Ginny Weasley were helping each other with their Potions homework, but other than them and Madam Pince, the library was empty. Makoto quickly consulted the large filing cabinet that held the book listings for anything that looked remotely interesting or had to do with Cheerup Charms. She settled on a book about magical things that famous wizards and witches used to help them in their magical studies.
"Upton ... Upton ... Upton ... where the hell is Cassell Upton?"
"Shhh!" hissed a boy she hadn't noticed.
"Sorry," she hissed back, turning back to the book-self.
The boy humphed and turned back to his own book. Makoto rolled her eyes and ran her pointer finger gently along the spines of a row of books that were in the "u" section until she found Upton's books. Her finger stopped on Jewelry; Not Just For Decoration, by Cassell Upton and pulled it down from the shelf. Settling down on a large arm chair by a window, Makoto opened the book to the table of contents and looked for the chapter most closely related to bracelets, blinking in surprise when she realized that about one quarter of the book was dedicated to them. She flipped through the pages until she got to that section and began reading.
" 'Gold bracelets of the Middle Ages', 'bracelets and survival', 'silver on the wrist: protection' - maybe that could help," she mused.
She opened to the chapter and was greeted with a large picture of various bracelets. There were some that she'd seen in museums, but none that looked like her own.
"Bracelets have been used as means of protection since the time of Merlin the Great. They are harmless to the wearer, are very inconspicuous in crowds of Muggles, and a potent protection spell can make them formidable weapons against the most powerful curses.
Some of the most famous wizards and witches have been known to use jewelry for protection. Circe, the famed witch from Homer's The Odyssey, used a large variety of necklaces to enchant those sailors that chanced upon her shores. Nicholas Flamel, a noted alchemist, often gave rings to his Muggle guests to allow them to forget all they might have seen while visiting him that was "out of the ordinary".
Perhaps the most famous of all wizards to use any sort of jewelry for their Magic, however, is Godric Gryffindor. Though very little is known about the bracelet that he wore, it is said to have been one of the most powerful objects of its time. Even the great Salazar Slytherin wanted to be able to use its power, though he was never permitted to lay hands on it. The actual appearance of the bracelet is to this day unknown, but there are records of its power displayed throughout the 18th century, at least 500 years after his death.
The earliest record is from a close friend of Godric's, Lutra Miller, after his witnessing the bracelet in action.
'[Godric] placed it upon his wrist and it [reflected] in his eyes, bringing forth his rage to life. The silver flared to life upon his fair skin and a red glow issued forth as its Master called for its power. And as if in obedience to some unseen force, the trees parted before us and the ground shook under our feet.'
Other witnesses reports of the power of Godric's bracelet include the taming of wild animals for a short time, and glowing red light just before danger struck."
Makoto sighed and closed the book. Though the information contained in the book was very interesting, it did nothing to help her with her own problems with the bracelet. Quietly as possible she replaced the book to its shelf and left the library in search of whichever of her friends she could find first.
"Jillian!" called a voice.
She spun around and came to face Ron, face flushed, running down the hall to meet her in front of the library's doors. She grinned and leaned on the wall to wait for him, glad to for the company of her brother's friend.
My chance to make him my friend too ... he's cute when he's flushed like that ... what am I saying?! she thought wildly, hoping her face didn't betray her emotions.
Ron came to a near flying halt in front of her and bent over to catch his breath.
"Gee, I knew you loved me, but you don't have to kill yourself to prove it," Makoto grinned.
The red haired boy looked up smiling as well, but too out of breath to laugh. When he regained his breath he straightened up and held out an arm.
"Would the Lady care to accompany me on my journey to the Gryffindor Common Room?" he asked in a slightly mocking voice.
Makoto took up the act without missing a beat and gave him a low curtsie, then wound her arm in his.
"I'd be delighted, Sir Ron."
Three male figures watched the two as they walked towards their Common Room. As secretive as they tried to be, any passing person would have heard their whispering to each other.
"Did you see them?"
"No, sorry, I'm half blind you know. What were we looking at?"
"You're not blind, you just weren't paying attention. We were looking at your younger brother and his potential love prospect."
"Oh. Was that all?"
"He's my younger brother too, you know, Lee."
"I know that. But he ... oh never mind! Now, are you going to help me play matchmaker or not?"
"Matchmaker?"
"Ask Dean, not me."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Right, now for the annoying stuff.
To: "allison" and "california": I will write in Japanese what I feel like writing in Japanese. Makoto, Rei, Ami, and Hotaru, all happen to be Japanese, therefore, when speaking alone or two each other, they speak … Japanese. ::rolls eyes:: I've given translations, and I will continue to do so. But I will still write some of their lines in their original language.
Also: Ami's mother will not take her back. Rei will not go back to her grandfather because he's dying ::rolls eyes again:: and Hotaru's dad will not just randomly pull her out of school to go back to his lab. Why? Because I say so!
One more thing to all those who can't speak Japanese. This chapter has the most Japanese in it of all of them, and from the next chapter on, I won't be using as much because Rei will have learned more English and will want to use it or something, so you don't get as confused.
Translations for this chapter are as follows:
Ohayo, Jii-chan = Hello (technically "good morning") Grandpa
Ja matta ne = See you later
Suki desu, Rei = I love you, Rei
Anata wa yonde de shou? = Will you read this?
Jii-chan no tame ni kanpeki tai = I want it perfect for Grandpa
Mo chiron, Rei-chan = of course, Rei-chan
Anata wa sukoshi demo nai = you worry about the smallest things (I think)
Shimpai nai = don't worry
Anata no Ojii-san rikai suru de shou = your grandfather will understand it
Yamete = stop
Shimpai nai, ne? = don't worry, right?
Ne, ne, iku yo! = Let's go!
Asagohan o tabetai! = I want to eat breakfast!
Oya ... saa ... kore udewa wa samui da yo, nugutai = Oh … well … this bracelet is really cold, I want to take it off.